bob fleer Loc: Annapolis, MD

Going to Columbia S. America for 3 weeks visiting my son and his family,
Will be in the Andes. I have a Canon 70D will bring my Tamron 18-400 as my every day lens when hiking and sight seeing. I also have a Tamron 150-600 thinking about bringing that for when we are stationary at my sons house, great place for birding from his deck overlooking jungle. I have a 1.4 Tamron tele converter. Having a variety of other lenses ie. 50mm 1.8 and a 10-18. kand of course a travel tripod.
any sugestions from my Hoggers.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

I suppose it depends on what you think you might shoot.

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

I would take your 18 to 400 and the extender maybe.

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There is good rationale to what you say, if photo dominates the OPs agenda.

On a trip such as the OP described, Id put together a kit for *convenience*, and limit photography to the capabilities of that kit. Therefor 86 the big birder lens.

From the OPs inventory Id bring the 10-18 and 18-400. 400 is way long for EOS APSC (=640 and I notice no mention of a tripod). Obviously theres no need for a TC either.

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I dont have the OPs dilema cuz Im terribly over equipped, meaning I could do his trip, but MY way, with one well chosen, not too extreme, lens. To me, for that trip 18-400 looks extreme (unless photography is the actual overall priority).

bob fleer Loc: Annapolis, MD

thank you for input

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Haha, I'm terribly under equipped.

I have an 18-200 and a 50. The zoom lives on the camera.
Traveling light has its merits.
And yes, I work within the constraints of the lens(es), and don't do birds or wildlife from a half mile away.

The OP did mention a tripod by the way.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

Just a couple of observations and questions. I sense some familiarity with your son's home. I'm guessing that you may have visited before. I see from your profile that you are a birder. From what I know, Columbia is a near-ideal place to do that. So my guess is that your time will be spent on the patio and visiting birding locations with whoever wants to share the experience.

So the questions are whether you need your longest lenses in such a rich shooting environment and whether your 18-400 zoom can deliver images that you will be happy with. I can't answer either of those, but I'm betting that you can, with a little thought.

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OK, I missed the tripod. But its not a great travel item anywho. IMNSHO, your 18-200 and 50 would do that whole trip quite well, unless its really a photo expedition for which purpose, WTF, bring the tripod, and birder lens with TC too !

BTW, youre not *terribly* under equipped. Should you really have no use for anything wider then you are fully equipped.

Why am I over equipped ? Has much to do with a preference for prime lenses. I have various kits of primes with both large and small steps between FLs. Why would I do THAT ? Too simple: cuz I can !

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

(I didn't take the tripod to Iceland... Only when I travel by car.)

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

No such place as Columbia, SA. common error by Americans.
The Andes is pretty broad as there is a large part of Colombia in the Andes.
Having lived all over the country for many years and not knowing anything more than Andes I believe your choices of lenses will be absolutely excellent. Dump the 50mm unless you are totally enamored with it.
The 10-18mm will be great for villages and cities where spaces can be quite tight. The 18-400mm will be a great choice for your all the time on the camera lens and allow for fast reaction to amazing things happening there.
If there is space for the 150-600mm then by all means bring it along and leave the 1.4X converter home unless again you have space and really want to bring it. Tripod will be good if there is time and easily carried and totally out of your way as you walk, if you are walking.
Your son will be a great source of where to go and where not to due to anti government forces in control.
Colombia is amazingly diverse and beautiful and sounds like you are going about it the right way by an actual resident and not some canned tour. The campesino busses will be amazing and take you most anywhere you will want to go in cluding trains if desired.
Enjoy and have fun.

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

I'm a bird photographer, among other things wildlife. I would never limit myself to 400mm, especially to a place like Columbia! Have you used the Tamron big zoom enough to know that it will work to your satisfaction? I have had two of them, and in my opinion, they are JUNK!! Especially beyond about 400mm. I will never own another one! YMMV. IF it performs OK, I would definitely take it.
Assuming a steady railing of some kind on your son's deck, I wouldn't bother with the tripod. Unless you expect to take the 600mm on trips into the jungle. And even then, you will probably be able to brace on something, a tree trunk, the car, something. Been there, done that.
I look forward to seeing the results of your Columbia trip!

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I greatly enjoy photography, and I greatly abhor travel. I get an impression the typical Hawgster could not survive photographically on that basis. My own photography is based entirely on my vision and not connected to location or geography. IOW, looking inward rather than outward.

OTOH my longest career stage was with the DOT so some amount of travel was involved. But thaz not MY OWN photography. And it often involved rather large tripods. Travel, plus large tripod, equals Not Fun.

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

I would not survive happily, or photographically on that basis!
Always looking outwardly!

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Similar here.
I enjoy it, I'm not driven by it.
(Nor complete perfection......)

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

Still working on that complete perfection part! Haven't gotten there yet, but still striving!